Starting Monday morning, millions of Halo fans got their first chance at what Microsoft is calling the largest video game console beta in history.

After building up excitement in the Halo community for months, Microsoft and its partners at Bungie Studios opened the Halo: Reach beta. Most people who get into the multiplayer beta will do so via game discs from a previous version of the franchise, Halo 3: ODST. The beta is set to last until May 19. However, some people were able to score beta codes in a variety of contests, including one on CNET News.

The full version of Halo: Reach is planned for a fall 2010 release.

On June 22, Geek Gestalt will kick off Road Trip 2010. After driving more than 18,000 miles in the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, and the Southeast over the past four years, I'll be looking for the best in technology, science, military, nature, aviation, and more throughout the American Northeast. If you have a suggestion for someplace to visit, drop me a line. In the meantime, you can follow the preparations for the project on Twitter.